Breaking Free

Pain all Around

*The Next Morning*
I woke up early to avoid Luke. I wrote him a note saying I got called in early, which was a lie. I put my bun in a nice bun and changed into my uniform at my apartment, so no one could see the bruises from last night. I still felt disgusting and was stupidly scared by every small noise or sudden movement. I clocked into work early and grabbed a coffee in the break room. To my surprise, Tim was there. I was a bit startled and tried to play it off
Tim: didn't mean to scare you
Lucy: oh, no, sorry, you're good
Tim: what're you doing here so early?
Lucy: um, I could ask you the same thing
Tim: but I asked first, so, i'll ask again. Why are you here so early?
Lucy; it's only an hour early, and I just want to get a head start on the day
Tim: sure, boot
Lucy: well, why are you here so early?
Tim: i'm your TO, I ask the questions
Lucy: technically, it's Lucy and Tim right now, not officer chen and officer bradford
Tim: my name goes first, officer bradford and officer chen, i'm your superior
Lucy: my bad, grammar police
Tim: ok, fine miss psych degree
Lucy: why do you know that?
Tim: I do a lot of looking into my rookies, I like to know what i'm working with
Lucy: that's not creepy at all
Tim: you're right, it's not
Lucy: uh huh, want a coffee?
Tim: why not
I grab him a cup and pour him some. I hand it to him.
Tim: thanks
Lucy: of course, well i'm gonna head to roll call
Tim: it doesn't start for..
he checked the time
Tim: like another 45 minutes
Lucy; oh, sorry
Tim: want to eat something? it'll be a long day
Lucy: no thanks, it's going to be hot today, i want to be at my best, and food in the heat isn't it
Tim: fair point. Wanna sit?
He gestured his head t the chair across from him
Lucy: sure
Tim: rough night?
Lucy: I look that bad?
Tim: not what I said, you just seem... tired, sad, nervous
Lucy: yeah, just um.. not a lot of sleep and..-
Tim: trouble in paradise with Luke?
Lucy: how do you know about Luke?
Tim: I don't know about him, I know of him. Like i said, I like to know who i'm training
Lucy: oh,well that's an interesting hobby
Tim: what?
Lucy: stalking your rookies?
Tim: not stalking, just a background check
Lucy: you know the department does that, right?
Tim: I know, but I have my own standards
Lucy: well, do I pass?
Tim: pass what?
Lucy: your rookie standards?
Tim: well, for the most part yeah
Lucy: that's good, right?
Tim: i'd say so
Lucy: good, and to answer your question, yeah just some things with Luke
Tim: it won't affect your work ethic, right boot?
Lucy: no, sir.
Tim: you sure?
Lucy: yup
Tim: ok then. but, why were you crying?
Lucy: what do you mean?
Tim: your eyes, are a bit red, a tad bit puffy, you look tired, and way more... just less happy than yesterday.
Lucy: and you're an expert at reading people.. or?...
Tim: Sorry, just a guess. But, were you?
Lucy: ...nope
Tim: don't want to start out lying to your TO, now do you?
Lucy: like I said, rough night
i wanted so badly just to break down and say the things Luke has done to me these past few years. I can't though, it's my fault he does it anyway. And, Tim's my boss, i want this job so much and breaking down is not the way to get
Tim: ok.. but as Tim and Lucy, if you ever need to talk, i'm here. And also, whatever is making you cry, it'll pass
Lucy: thanks....
he seems so less, hard than yesterday. Like underneath all the roughness is a really nice guy

Tim's POV:
I didn't really believe her, something's up. I can't pry though, I've only just met her less than 24 hours ago. I feel bad though, she looks so.. sad... miserable.
Tim: alright, well believe it or not, roll call starts in 10
Lucy: already?
Tim: yeah, let's go
Lucy: ok.
We walked into roll call where other officers started to gather chatting. I went by Angela and she went by Jackson. I watched her sit down and give a fake smile. I turned away to Angela.
Angela: Everything ok?
Tim: yeah, just worried about my boot.
Angela: Tim Bradford, showing some empathy? well i'll be damned
Tim: haha, very funny
Angela: I know I am, now tell me why
Tim: she looks so tired, like she's been crying, and kind of.. in pain
Angela turned to look at Lucy's weird posture
Angela: you're right... something's either up, or she has really bad posture
Tim: not funny
Angela: alright, well, look for any detail or information today. Then, we'll investigate further if it seems a bit... off
Tim: alright, thanks
Grey: Alright. Alright. Settle down. I just got a disturbing video. Never seen anything so horrific. So prepare yourselves.
He clicked play and started a video on the screen. It was John's body cam footage of when he got stuck in the fence. The other officers laughed.
Grey: such grace and athleticism has never before been seen in the LAPD.
Everyone started to laugh
Grey: Is that a gazelle wearing the blues? Or a dinosaur from a long forgotten age? Now, you will see Officer Chen execute a perfect flying tackle.
That's my rookie, I couldn't help but smile